Friday, April 20, 2007

Rocking the Boat

Some years ago during an MCKK class reunion, at a trying time when a very prominent classmate whom everyone thought was destined to become the country's numero uno was incarcerated on very dubious charges, there was mostly small talk. I was a mite distressed when an old friend told me why certain subjects were really taboo then. He explained that it was probably because of our common fear or phobia of having to “choose sides”, and many would prefer not to discuss anything controversial and risk a “falling out” that thereafter might just mar our lifelong friendships. "Its simply not worth it," he said.

I found this bloody depressing. Weren’t we all on the same side? Can’t old friends peacefully agree to disagree?

Here, Usman Awang’s poem “Melayu” comes to mind:

Watak Melayu itu menolak permusuhan
Setia dan sabar tiada sempadan
Tapi jika marah tiada nampak telinga
Musuh dicari ke lubang cacing
Tak dapat tanduk telinga dijinjing
Maruah dan agama dihina jangan
Hebat amuknya tak kenal lawan

In other words, we probably were all not sufficiently pissed off or agitated enough about the current situation then to mengamuk and to say or do something really meaningful for fear of rocking the boat. Each and everyone of us were undoubtedly snugly ensconced in our respective comfort zones.

I fear this is what is probably going to happen with the electorate in Ijok and elsewhere, but I hope I am wrong.

Me? I have been on rocking boats all my life and have been none the worse for it.

6 comments:

  1. Good Morning Captain Sir,

    Did you watch the prime news last night? Sure you did

    What happened in Ijok memalukan melayu!

    Good day Sir

    ReplyDelete
  2. Yes, memalukan, not for the occurence itself but for the fact that they have gone to such lows to win. Each accusing the other. Letih...

    ReplyDelete
  3. Perhaps they are "Melayu Baru'? Definitely not what the late Usman Awang had in mind but professional Pak Pacaks planted by both sides.

    I bet they are not the ones who are going to vote either.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Bang Captain...

    Tahniah! Anda telah memenangi “Thinking Blogger Award”. Harap ambil blog-sticker anda serta “list of rules” yang tertera di blog saya!’ Harap Maklum!

    Professional Pak Pacak's Cap'n . . . Damn right!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Hi Capt. Yes, we are still revelling in the comfort zone. After 50 years we still have that feel good mentality. Dont make waves, dont rock the boat, dont do this, dont do that. Semua-nya ok. As a country we have not been tested. We have never been visited by disasters to shake us off this enertia. Even at our age, we cannot allow this to continue, for the good of this country.I will alert you about the meeting I talked to you about.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Mat Salo:

    Many thanks but I dont really think I'm worthy of this award so will have to respectfully decline.

    Ala hai Mat ... lomah lutut den. Bilo nak balik Kalimantan?

    Zorro:

    Muchos gracias, compadre. Just crack your whip and I'll be there.

    ReplyDelete

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